448 THE LAST JOURNAL OF W. A. FORBES. 



are connected to that by a bank. Prom Porto Santo to the lighthouse 

 at Madeira is 23 miles. Between the two islands I saw many Buliveria, 

 two quite close to the ship, settle on the water. The flight is strong, 

 Puffinus- or Sv\ift-like. Besides the Bulwerias, a good number of a 

 brownish-grey Puffinus, with belly and rest of underside pure white ; 

 head, breast, and tail like the back. There were a number of these just 

 off Funchal ; also some Gulls, apparently Larus affinis, with yellow feet, 

 darkish mantle ; patagial margins of wings, tip of secondaries, and an 

 oblique bar across second coverts white. Got into Eunchal about 5 P.M., 

 anchoring close to shore. The town looks very pretty from the sea 

 white houses, green shutters &c., quite like other Portuguese towns. 

 The lower slopes of the hills are much cultivated in terraces, the tops 

 wooded with stone-pines and, apparently, Erica arborea, a bright green 

 conifer-like tree. The streets are paved with rounded pebbles, closely 

 packed together, and quite polished from the friction of the cow-sledges, 

 there being no wheeled vehicles. "Went to Miles's hotel and had some 

 dinner. Pretty garden, with bananas, palms, Hibiscus, Cannas, &c. &c., 

 and many Spliinx convolvuli. Only birds seen were Swifts, apparently 

 Cypselus apus, and a yellowish Wagtail, Motadlla sulphurea. On ship 

 again about 8.30 P.M. and off at 9. The ' Con way Castle ' for Cape came 

 in just after we did, and left again just after us, soon passing us. The 

 three Desertas are well seen from Madeira, the most northern low and 

 truncated, the two others high, rocky, and barren. All the group are 

 obviously volcanic, some section of Madeira being seen in coast-cliffs as 

 we steamed west from the lighthouse to Funchal. 



July 26th. Duller and cooler, with some swell. Running before the 



north-east trades. At noon had come about 150 miles from Punch al. 



In afternoon passed a Dutch steamer, schooner-rigged, going north. 



About 9 P.M. saw the revolving light of Palma, about 15 miles distant on 



Ibis, 1883, starboard bow. In the morning saw a few of the same Puffinus as we 



p. 497. b a d seen off Madeira. 



July 27th. Duller and cooler. No ships or birds. Eun 235 miles. 



July 28th. Very smooth and fine, but not hot. Eun 228 miles. 

 50 miles off Cape Blanco at dinner. A lot of Oceanites behind ship till 

 dusk. A large Hawk appeared about 7, when ship about 50 miles from 

 land, striking apparently at something (? a Petrel) and not reappearing. 



July 29th. Cool and smooth. Bun 235 miles. A few flying-fish 

 seen in the evening. 



S. July 30th. Cape Verde in sight at breakfast-time. A high cliff 

 with lighthouse on top, rising rather suddenly from a low w r ooded flat 

 coast. No palms visible on shore from ship at 10 miles off. A lot of 

 Oceanites after ship all day ; and in afternoon a flock of Puffinus fishing 

 with a school of Bonitas. Eun 251 miles. Some rain towards 

 evening. 



